Since January 1, 2018, the provisions of the decree of May 10, 2017, relating to the manning permit, have reformed the regulations concerning maritime navigation titles.
The manning permit has replaced the crew list as the official document for a vessel’s administrative manning. The manning permit is now mandatory for any vessel that embarks at least one professional seafarer in accordance with Article L.5231-1 of the Transport Code.
Article 18 of Decree 2017-942 of May 10, 2017, stipulates that “shipowners of vessels falling under the provisions of Articles L.5232-1 to L.5232-3 of the Transport Code and not holding a manning permit on the effective date of this decree shall apply for a manning permit within 18 months from that date”. Depending on the shipowner’s activity, there are three categories of manning permits:
| Type of Manning Permit | Types of Navigation |
|---|---|
| “Commercial” | Commercial, piloting, towing, professional pleasure craft |
| “Fishing and Marine Aquaculture” | Fishing, marine aquaculture, marine aquaculture – small-scale fishing, shellfish farming – small-scale fishing or special fisheries |
| “Pleasure” | Non-professional pleasure craft |
It is important to note that the pleasure craft manning permit is intended for vessels operated under a rental activity where the lessee retains free disposal of the vessel and choice of crew.
As a consequence of Article 18 of the decree of May 10, 2017, as of July 1, 2019, all vessels embarking a professional seafarer must have a manning permit issued by the Departmental Directorate of Territories and the Sea (DDTM) on board. Otherwise, from the aforementioned date, their crew lists will no longer legally allow them to be considered as having a manning permit and therefore a valid navigation title.
To facilitate shipowners’ procedures, the Directorate of Maritime Affairs has created an online tool, the shipowner’s portal. This tool provides access to the application and issuance process for the manning permit. For vessels flying a foreign flag, the manning permit is not applicable. However, the procedure for setting minimum safe manning levels applies to them if they do not hold a minimum manning certificate issued by their flag state. The pleasure craft manning permit is intended for vessels operated under a rental activity where the lessee retains free disposal of the vessel and choice of crew.